CEFR CEFR - Common European Framework Plurilingual and Pluricultural Competence 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does "plurilingual competence" mean in CEFR?
- Being equally fluent in several languages
- Having an integrated, dynamic repertoire of languages and partial competences (Correct answer)
- Learning one language at a time
- Avoiding mixing languages
Correct answer: Having an integrated, dynamic repertoire of languages and partial competences
Plurilingual competence is an integrated repertoire of languages and partial competences, not necessarily balanced fluency.
The CEFR defines plurilingual competence as the ability to use a repertoire of linguistic resources - different languages at varying levels - in an integrated, flexible way. It does not require equal mastery of all languages.
Question 2: What is "pluricultural competence" according to the CEFR?
- Knowledge of art history
- The ability to mediate between cultures and adapt behavior to different cultural contexts (Correct answer)
- Fluency in cultural dances
- The ability to cook traditional dishes
Correct answer: The ability to mediate between cultures and adapt behavior to different cultural contexts
Pluricultural competence involves mediating between cultures and adapting to different cultural contexts.
Pluricultural competence in the CEFR refers to the ability to navigate multiple cultural contexts, mediate between cultures, and adapt behavior and communication appropriately to different cultural settings. It is linked to intercultural awareness and sociolinguistic competence.
Question 3: How does CEFR view the relationship between plurilingual and pluricultural competence?
- They are entirely separate skills
- They are interrelated: language and culture are inseparable (Correct answer)
- Pluricultural is more important than plurilingual
- Language learning has nothing to do with culture
Correct answer: They are interrelated: language and culture are inseparable
CEFR views plurilingual and pluricultural competences as inseparable - language learning always involves cultural understanding.
The CEFR explicitly links plurilingual and pluricultural competence, recognizing that language use is always culturally embedded. Learning a language involves developing both linguistic and cultural repertoires simultaneously.
Question 4: What does "partial competence" mean in CEFR's plurilingual model?
- Being incompetent in a language
- Having some abilities in a language without complete mastery (Correct answer)
- Knowing only vocabulary but no grammar
- A failed language learner
Correct answer: Having some abilities in a language without complete mastery
Partial competence refers to having useful but not complete mastery in a language - still a valid and valuable competence.
The CEFR's plurilingual model validates partial competences: having reading ability without speaking ability, or specific domain knowledge in a language. All partial competences contribute to a learner's overall linguistic repertoire.
Question 5: What is "code-switching" and how does CEFR regard it?
- A computer programming technique
- Moving between languages in communication, viewed as a sign of plurilingual competence (Correct answer)
- A grammar error
- Refusing to speak in certain contexts
Correct answer: Moving between languages in communication, viewed as a sign of plurilingual competence
Code-switching is using more than one language in communication - CEFR views it as part of plurilingual repertoire, not an error.
Code-switching is the practice of moving between languages in discourse. The CEFR, especially the Companion Volume, recognizes code-switching as a natural feature of plurilingual communication rather than a failure. It reflects the dynamic, integrated nature of multilingual competence.
Question 6: The CEFR Companion Volume introduced the concept of "translanguaging." What does this refer to?
- Professional legal translation
- The flexible use of an integrated multilingual repertoire for communication and meaning-making (Correct answer)
- Switching only between closely related languages
- Avoiding the use of the first language in class
Correct answer: The flexible use of an integrated multilingual repertoire for communication and meaning-making
Translanguaging refers to the flexible, integrated use of a multilingual repertoire for meaning-making.
Translanguaging, referenced in the CEFR Companion Volume, describes how multilingual speakers draw flexibly on all linguistic resources (across languages) as an integrated system for communication. It challenges the view of languages as separate, bounded systems.
CEFR CEFR - Common European Framework Plurilingual and Pluricultural Competence 2
What does "plurilingual competence" mean in CEFR?